News of: Monday, 2nd of March, 2009

Front Page

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday told parliament that her government has sought assistance from the US and UN, and will request the UK as well for cooperation in probe into the massacre at BDR headquarters last week.

A large number of army officers yesterday expressed their deepest emotions, frustrations, excitement and expectations at a three-hour grand conference with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina discussing the BDR carnage in which the nation lost at least 73 people, including 60 officers.

The government yesterday decided to deploy members of the armed forces across the country indefinitely to help law enforcement agencies arrest the absconding rebels of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and recover the missing firearms and ammunition.

Another body of an army officer killed during the mutiny at the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) headquarters at Pilkhana floated out of a sluice gate in the city's Nawabganj yesterday, raising the death toll to 74.

Routine activities of the border security force resumed at all Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) camps across the country yesterday as normalcy returned after the massacre of BDR men in its headquarters in Dhaka.

Most of the BDR Jawaans who killed the army officers during the BDR mutiny were quite young and most of the killings were carried out and over between 10:30 to 11:00 am, immediately after the chaos started at Darbar Hall at the BDR headquarters.

The namaz-e-janaza of 41 army officers and BDR director general Maj Gen Shakil Ahmed's wife brutally killed at the BDR Headquarters will be held today at the National Parade Square in Dhaka at 10:00 am, said an Inter-services Public Relations (ISPR) press release.

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) yesterday handed over 49 Bangladeshi nationals who were rescued from sea near the Andaman island last December to Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) through Benapole check post.

Saarc member states on Saturday have agreed to establish a high-level panel of 'Eminent Experts' to strengthen the group's anti-terrorism mechanisms as it underlined its resolve to combat the menace in the region.

Editorial

EVER since the dastardly acts of a section of BDR men came to light, we, through several editorials have expressed our deepest sorrow at the tragic events. We commend the armed forces for the way it has held its grief in check and gone about performing its duties in the most professional manner.

US President Barack Obama has begun to live up to the expectations of the peace loving people around the world. He has declared that the US will end all combat operations in Iraq through withdrawing two-thirds of the US forces deployed in the war-ravaged country by August 2010. The declaration amounts to offloading the legal and moral burden associated with the Iraq war, which he inherited while stepping into the White House.

AN immutable law governing power is that it cannot be shared, because the one holding the sceptre brooks no competitor. Perhaps because of the spirit of that law, Sheikh Hasina has surrounded herself with diehard loyalists in her ministerial team. That is fine. Anyone in her place would do the same in this country. Although it ensured her grip on the levers of the power many feel that a good deal of experience and efficiency has been compromised, leaving the vital flanks of governance vulnerable.

THE Congress has begun its campaign -- for the general elections of 2012-13. All over Kolkata, the party has put up hoardings of a smiling, heavily-dimpled Rahul Gandhi. The visual message is "cute." The written message is unambiguous: this is the face of the future. He may be forced to share the limelight with his elders in 2009, but this is the last compromise. The campaign accepts that Dr Manmohan Singh is the Congress candidate for prime minister this year, but marks him as a transition figure, or in Arun Jaitley's phrase, as a "night-watchman."

IF anything has tarnished the honeymoon period of the new government it is the student wing of the Awami League, that has been involved in conflicts with itself and with others since the landslide victory of AL-led alliance in the December 29 election.

In the lead-up to the Johannesburg Test AB de Villiers spoke of his desire to become the best batsman in the world. It's a bold ambition for a player currently sitting 21st on the ICC's Test batting rankings. But for a man who has just turned 25 and has enjoyed the most prolific year of his career, it's a commendable aspiration.

The Indian board's plan for six of its cricketers to turn out in New Zealand's domestic competition ahead of the Tests is in doubt with the New Zealand players' body saying it will not pull Indian Cricket League (ICL) players out of state squads to facilitate the games.

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has condoled the death of BDR Director General Major General Shakil Ahmed, other army officers, jawans and all loss of lives in Wednesday's mutiny at the BDR headquarters.

Germany rejected appeals Sunday for a single multibillion euro (dollar) bailout of eastern Europe, even after Hungary begged EU leaders not to let a new "Iron Curtain" divide the continent into rich and poor.

Just a week ago, Lt Col Shamsul Azam, a commanding officer of BDR engineering corps, was busy planning the marriage ceremony of his eldest son, but now his family members are now preparing for his (Azam) funeral.

The High Court (HC) verdict directing the government to take steps to install “speed governor seals” in all modes of public transport to control speed and reduce road accidents was not executed even in the last one year after its delivery.

Mehrin Mujib, spouse of slain Colonel Mujibul Huq, demanded proper investigation into the Wednesday's massacre in the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) headquarters at Pilkhana in the city and exemplary punishment to the killers.

Lt Col Abu Musa Kaiser Ahmed, who was killed during the BDR massacre at the headquarters of the border guards in the city, was laid to rest with state honour at his family graveyard at Bhara Muhuri at Chakaria in Cox's Bazar yesterday.

Due to some unavoidable circumstances, Jago Bangladesh 2009, the challenging walkathon from Teknaf to Cox's Bazar through the longest beach in the world, has been deferred and will now be held on March 27-29.

The Supreme Court (SC) will deliver its verdict today on the leave to appeal filed by 29 sitting High Court judges against the HC verdict directing the government to reappoint 10 additional judges with seniority.

The Annual Commander Conference, National Flag Giving Parade and 8th Tigers' Reunion-2000 of EBRC, scheduled for March 5 at Chittagong Cantonment have been postponed due to unavoidable reason, said an ISPR release.

National

People from all walks of life here yesterday demanded proper investigation into brutal killings of the brilliant army officers and their family members at BDR headquarters on January 25 and exemplary punishment of the killers.

People of char areas in Fulchhari upazila are enjoying fruits of their voluntary service as a bamboo bridge, set up across a tributary of the Jamuna, has eased their communication with the 'mainland' on two sides of the river.

Field workers and organisers of Jubo Karmasangsthan Society (Jubok) and its depositors yesterday laid seize to Chandpur Deputy Commissioner's Office demanding punishment to five detained Jubok officials and arrest of other fugitives.

Letters

A few days ago our democracy was at stake. After two years of hiatus, we have again embarked on the road to democracy through the Awami League's winning a landslide victory at the elections. The result is unprecedented in our political history. Having the earlier experience of the BNP regime vivid in our minds, we are worried that this absolute power could lead the AL to an unfair exercise of power and consequently dysfunctional democracy.

Though children's labour may be necessary to the survival of some families, it does not represent the ideal for children or their families. Putting children to work too early can stunt their development socially and educationally as well as expose them to physical risks. This does not even factor in the daily peril faced by children working as prostitutes or soldiers.

Energy resources like water, gas, electricity and petroleum crude oil are indispensable in the running of a country. In our daily life we use them for making our lives easier. But the thing is that our manner of using these is indiscreet, as we do not hesitate squandering them carelessly. For instance, let us consider water and how we misuse it.

It is learnt from The Daily Star (26 January 2009) that Pabna University of Science and Technology (PUST) is going to admit 200 students under two faculties. The subjects that will be taught are Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) and Mathematics under the faculty of Science and Engineering. The other faculty is Business Studies, with the subject Business Administration.

The Trans-Eurasia Information Network (TEIN) is one of the new initiatives endorsed by ASEM III (October 2000, Seoul, Korea) to connect research networks between Asia and Europe by linking EU's GEANT, the pan-European gigabit research network, with Asia's research networks such as the APII Testbeds in order to promote information exchanges in research and development and education.

In politics, no ruler or politician is above criticism. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has faced multifarious criticisms, particularly over the actions of his administration after our liberation. There are people who believe that he was a first class leader but not an administrator of that rank. But we all ought to admit that he was the main architect and founder of our country.

CNN recently released an exclusive interview of US President Barack Obama with Al-Arabia Television. This interview is considered as part of President Obama's commitment during his election campaign to improve relations between the US and the Muslim world.

I was not at all surprised. I have rather been trying to look for the benefits from the DU teachers' greeting spree! Though students missed their classes, with this hands-on demonstration on “political science” the students can learn “constructive politics” and master the art of succeeding in traditional Bangladeshi Politics. Not bad!

Although Barisal is one of the six divisions, it has been neglected by all governments. All previous governments made promises but their words did not come true. Education is imperative for all development activities but there is no university in Barisal city. If we look at all other divisional cities, we will find a different picture. Even many district towns have public universities. Doesn't it bear testimony to the unequal treatment meted out to Barisal? Although the present government has already treated Barisal badly not including anyone in the cabinet from the region, we hope it will set up a university in the city in order to make Barisal a part of Digital Bangladesh.

The AL said before the election that it would appoint the deputy speaker from the opposition. Within days of winning the election the AL has forgotten that pledge. We feel disgusted, but we are not surprised. Clearly, what was once a “pledge” has now become a “lie”. And to cover up that lie the AL is now planning to create a new seat for a second deputy speaker!

A few years ago Mohakhali Railway overbridge was constructed and it has facilitated traffic movement on the road to some extent. But a big problem still continues to afflict the residents of the area. People of Mohakhali DOHS, Shahinbag, Arjat Para, etc., have to go to Mohakhali kutcha bazar everyday with big serious risks to their lives as they cross the road. This is an everyday hazard which puts a lot of pressure on their nerves. Hence a foot overbridge connecting Mohakhali kutcha bazar is a long felt necessity.

A daughter of mine recently got her Ph.D from Harvard and came home for a few weeks to meet family and friends before returning to Harvard to do research as a prestigious Swartz Fellow in the newly established Department of Neuroscience. Her sponsors were so keen to have her that they paid a huge amount of money as special fees, so that her H-1B visa for a temporary worker could be processed in only two weeks. The embassy here too was very cooperative and gave her a visa within two days of the interview.

Pioneering work by Japanese stem-cell researchers two years ago has taken a major step forward, helping the quest for versatile, grow-in-a-dish transplant tissue, according to papers published yesterday.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is using her second overseas trip to assess Mideast peace prospects, reconnect with European allies and remind her Russian counterpart that US efforts to rebuild relations with Moscow have their limits.

Afghan political leaders yesterday accused President Hamid Karzai of trying to "sabotage" the country's presidential election after he asked the Election Commission to explore moving the vote up four months.

Congress has decided to hunt for new allies while retaining the old ones in its bid to return to power at the Centre after the Lok Sabha elections. The grand old party's strategy revolves around getting new alliance partners like the JDS in Karnataka, Trinamool Congress of Mamta Banerjee in West Bengal, DMDK led by actor- turned-politician Vijaykanth in Tamil Nadu, apart from the existing partners.

In a bid to assuage the international community's concerns about developments in Pakistan, the government of Pakistan has said that it had nothing to do with the disqualification of the Sharif brothers'.

Thirteen years after signing a treaty, India and Nepal are all set to establish Pancheshwar Development Authority for construction of the ambitious 6000 MW Pancheswar multi-purpose project on the Indo-Nepal border.

President Pratibha Patil Sunday rejected the recommendation of Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami to remove his colleague Navin Chawla, who is now expected to preside over the coming Lok Sabha polls.

Cultural activists in Tangail condemned the barbaric massacre at BDR Headquarter in Dhaka and observed the national mourning last Saturday. At the local Shaheed Minar, artistes and activists paid homage to the Army officials and their families brutally killed by rebel BDR jawans.

Dr. Muhammad Samad is one of the distinguished poets of the '70s. His discerning vision and passion, reflected through words, have enriched our literature. For inspiration, Samad inclines towards romanticism and nature.

After a decade, an 'Ekushey Book Fair' was held in Kushtia (from February 21 to 28). Kushtia Shilpakala Academy and district administration jointly organised the fair at the local Shilpakala Academy premises.

Drama serial "Mama Bhagney" will be aired tonight on Banglavision at 8:15pm. Jointly written by Nazrul Islam and M.S. Rana, and directed by Golam Sohrab Dodul, the humorous serial depicts the relationship between a man and his three nephews.

On the occasion of International Women's day, Ekushey TV will air a special TV play “Swopno, Bastob o Dipannita” on March 8. Written by Rounak Hasan and directed by Chayanika Choudhury, the play will be aired at 7:45 pm.

Talk show "Road to Democracy" will be aired tonight on Rtv at 7:30 pm. Based on contemporary issues, politics, economics and international affairs, “Road to Democracy” is Rtv's regular talk show aired every evening at the same time.

OP-ED

TRAGEDY has been part of Bengali collective life for as long as we can remember. Death by violent means has been a pattern of life, of the end of life that we have known for ages. Three million of our compatriots died at the hands of the Pakistan army in the year we wrested freedom for this nation. In 1975, in the space of a mere three months, we lost to assassination the entire leadership that had led us through the long, tortuous struggle for liberation. The corpse of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman lay sprawled on the staircase of his home; and the bodies of nearly his entire family littered the place. And then came the night when the four leaders of the Mujibnagar provisional government were gunned down in the putative security of prison.

IT'S only natural that emotions will be high among the army personnel, more so the officers, after the exposure of harrowing stories of brutality inside BDR headquarters. Not to be so would be abnormal. With every passing day pictures of barbaric acts by the mutineers are being bared to us. It is difficult to believe that genuine BDR jawans could have carried out the senseless killings. The brutalities have reinforced the suggestion that the rebels were not working on their own.